Latch means for cartons



June 18, 1968 R. F. REIFERS 3,

LATCH MEANS FOR CARTONS Filed May 26, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 RIC/MRO 19'RE)???" BY Ken (1). FLclc-s ATTORNEY June 18, 1968 R, RE|FERs I3,388,852

LATCH MEANS FOR CARTONS Filed May 26. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3:2 as m m VI INVENTOR 3 RIC/MRO f RE/FERS' United States Patent 3,338,852 LATCHMEANS FOR (ZARTGNS Richard F. Heifers, New Canaan, Conm, assignor t0Diamond International (Iorporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation ofDelaware Filed May 26, 1966, Ser. No. 553,128 8 Claims. (Ci. 229-45)ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An integral, releasable lock arrangement formolded cartons produced from molded pulp, molded plastics includingthermoplastics, foamed plastic, plastic-impregnated paperboard and thelike, in which a tray includes a lock flap having an upper, deformablelock tab, and a lid has an aperture at the juncture of a top andperipheral wall, exposing an upper edge portion of the lock tab when thecarton is closed to permit the lock tab to be deformably drawn throughthe aperture to lie in flush engagement on the outer surface of the lidperipheral wall.

This invention relates to improvements in molded cartons andparticularly to an improvement adaptable for use in egg cartons, and isconcerned with integral latch means for releasably locking the lid andtray sections of the carton. The invention can be used on cartonsproduced from molded pulp, foam plastic, paper impregnated with plastic,etc.

The locking provision of the present invention securely but releasablyholds the lid in closing juxtaposed relation on the upper marginal edgeof an underlying tray and provides a positive locking action, withoutdisturbing normal dimensions so that cartons incorporating the presentinvention can still be packed in standard thirty-dozencapacity eggcases.

The filled cartons of the present invention can be readily closed andlocked by means of equipment operating exteriorly of the carton so thatno damage can occur to the carton contents. The present inventionincorporates a novel latch means and lock flap which aids to orient therelatively hollow or tray-like lid in closing relation with respect tothe cellular tray.

A still further object of the present invention is that the novel latchmeans is relatively unobtrusive, permits observation-apertures to beincorporated in the carton lid wherein the contents may be observed bythe ultimate consumer, in no manner impedes normal art work incorporatedon the carton lid, and also permits the carton to be divided, i.e.wherein a 2 x 6 egg carton may be divided into two 2 x 3 (half dozen)segments.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide in acarton incorporating a bottom tray and lid,

improved lock means including an aperture on the lid, and

a deformable tongue on the lock flap of the carton, in which the tongueincludes a transverse dimension greater than the maximum width of theaperture wherein the lock flap must be deformably received through theaperture in order to retain the tray and lid in juxtaposed lockedrelationship.

A further object of the present invention is to provide novel lock meansfor molded or similar containers such as egg cartons or the like, inwhich the lock means may be incorporated on a tray and lid formed as anintegrally hinged unit, but also facilitating production of the tray andlid as independent or separate units.

With respect to disengaging or releasing the lock or latch, the latchmeans or lock means of the present invention is located substantiallyadjacent the upper portion of the lid or cover of the carton anddisconnecting the 'ice lid from the tray is accomplished remote fromeggs or the like which are packaged or packed in the egg carton.

A still further inherent advantage of the present invention is thefeature that permits a plurality of viewing apertures to be incorporatedin the lid, at least one of which receives a deformed lock tabtherethrough. The apertures permit the contents of the carton to beobserved and the aperture cooperating with the lock tab assumes the sameconfiguration as adjacent apertures to accordingly provide a uniformityof appearance, and in a sense, camoufiaging the latch or lock means.

Depending upon the kind of material used, the male lock element willhave a memory effect, i.e., once the male lock element is deformed itwill assume its original shape. In other words, any material having asuitable range of elasticity permitting the lock tab to be deformedthrough an opening can be used to produce cartons incorporating thepresent invention.

The foregoing statements are indicative in a general Way of the natureof the invention. Other and more specific objects will be apparent tothose skilled in the art upon a full understanding of the constructionand operation of the improved carton and its locking features.

Several embodiments of the invention are presented herein for purposesof illustration. However, the invention may be incorporated in othermodified forms equally within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an open carton illustrating thenovel latch means;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the carton of FIG. 1 shown in aclosed condition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the plane of line 3-3 ofFIG. 2 showing by means of phantom lines the lid in an open condition,and the lock tab prior to being deformed through the cooperatingaperture in the lid of the carton;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary front elevational view showing theaperture through the lid front wall and the cooperating lock tab on thelock flap of the carton;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section through another embodiment of the carton inwhich the top or lid is independent of the tray or bottom portion of thecarton;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged front elevational view of another type cartonutilizing a plurality of lock tabs, and showing the carton in an openedcondition;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, substantially diagrammatic view, illustratingthe manner in which a mechanism operating exteriorly of the carton canfunction to deforma'bly move the lock tab through its cooperatingaperture, however, this function can also be accomplished manually;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are respective front elevational views of additionalembodiments of molded pulp cartons utilizing the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of FIG. 10 showing the lid of the carton in aclosed or locked condition.

Referring to the drawings in detail and first considering FIGS. 1-4, amolded carton is indicated generally at 10 and includes a bottom or tray12 having hingedly connected thereto a lid or top 14.

The tray i2 includes a bottom wall 16 integral with verticallyextending, diverging front and rear walls 18 and 2G integral with endwalls 21 and 22. The front wall it? incorporates therealong a bulge 23to which a lock fiap 24 is integrally connected. The lock fiap 24 has aheight substantially equal to the front wall of the lid 14 (tosubsequently be described) and includes cutout portions 26 and .28flanking a centrally located lock tab 30. The lock tab 30 includesdeformable wing portions 32 and 34; the function of which to bedescribed.

The bottom tray 12 incorporates therein a plurality of cells of thecharacter illustrated in detail in the patent to Reifers, No. 2,990,094,and shown by phantom lines in FIGS. 1-4. Although the novel lock meansof this application is particularly adapted for egg cartons, thoseskilled in the art will readily appreciate practical aspects of the lockmeans in cartons not including a cellular structure. The cells, andpartition portions forming the same, just as in the patent to Reifers,No. 2,990,094, stabilize or rigidify the tray 12.

Hingedly connected at 36 at the top of the rear wall 2 0 of the tray 12,is the rear wall 33 of the lid 14. The rear wall 38 is integral with endwalls 49 and 42 which are connected to a front wall 44, all of the walls38-44 being formed integral with a planar top wall 46. The lowerperipheral edges of the side walls 411 and 4.2, and the front wall 44 ofthe lid will respectively engage on the upper edges of the side walls 26and 22, and the hinge 23 as clearly seen in FIG. 3.

Formed at the juncture of the top wall-46 and front wall 44 andextending substantially downwardly into the front wall 44 is an apertureportion which has an overall width W (see FIG. 4) which is less than theoverall width X of the lock tab 38 including the wings 32 and 34.

The lock flap 24 is received beneath the inner surface of the front wall44 of the lid 14, and the upper edges of the lock flap willsubstantially engage beneath the juncture of the top wall 46 and frontwall 44 of the lid. The lock tab will be accessible and project slightlyabove a straight line drawn between the upper margin 50 and lower margin52 of the aperture 48; this line being indicated at 54. Theaccessibility of the upper edge 56 of the lock tab 30 permits a terminalhook 58 of a tool bar 60 to move exteriorly of the lid of the carton,after the carton has been closed, to engage the edge 56 of the lock taband deformably pull the lock tab 30 through the aperture 48 and fold itdownwardly toward the position shown by phantom lines in FIG. 7; thisfunction can also be accomplished manually.

When the lid is locked to the bottom tray, the lock tab will notinterfere with packing the egg cartons in the conventional thirydozen-holding cases, and since the lid of the carton is angledrearwardly from the hinge 23, the lock tab will not extend beyond themaximum width dimensions of the carton. The lock tab 30, due to itselasticity, will substantially assume its original shape, i.e., beforebeing deformed through aperture 48.

Referring to FIG. 5, another type carton assembly is indicated generallyat 100 and includes a bottom or tray portion 112 and a lid or coverportion 114. The tray and lid portions are constructed as independentunits, and for purposes of clarity, cell-forming partitions are notshown. The integrally formed front, rear, end and bottom walls of thetray 112 provide a stable product-receiving compartment. The tray 112includes at opposite side wall portions hinges 121 and 122, respectivelyconnecting to the tray, integral lock-flaps 123 and 124. Formed in theupper edge of the lock flaps 123 and 124- are lock tabs 129 and 130similar to the lock flap 30 of the previously described embodiment,i.e., including lateral wing portions similar to portions 32 and 34 ofFIG. 1, for example.

The lid 114 includes a depending peripheral wall portion, incorporatingin the opposite side walls 138 and 140 apertures 146 and 148 formed atthe juncture of the side walls with adjacent portions of a top wall 146.

The lock flaps 123 and 124 will respectively engage adjacent the innersurfaces of the walls 133 and 140 and the lock tabs 129 and 130 will bedeformably received through the apertures 147 and 148, respectively, asin the previously described embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the invention is indicatedgenerally at 291) and comprises a, lower tray 212 (cells omitted) havinghingedly connected to the rear edge thereof (not shown) a lid 214.Hingedly connected to the forward upper edge of the tray 212 is alongitudinally spaced lock tabs 230 and 231 of a configuration similarto that indicated at 30 in FIG. 1, for example. The lock tabs areflanked by cutout portions 233, 235 and 237. These cutout portionsreduce the height of the lock flap 224; except at the lock tabs 230 and231, the function of this reduced height will subsequently becomeapparent.

The lid 214 has formed adjacent the juncture of the top wall 246 andfront wall 244 a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 247-251,thea pertures 248 and 250 will deformably receive therethrough the locktabs 230 and 231, respectively. The apertures 247, 249 and 251 provideventilation and contents-observation apertures, and

the rear wall of the lid 214 may have formed therein similar observationand ventilation apertures (see FIG. 11, for example).

As indicated at 252, a weakened or score line may bisect the carton 201)to facilitate breaking the carton 200 into two carton halves, and whenso broken, each of the halves will incorporate a latching means thereon.

The carton 260 will be closed in substantially the same manner asdescribed in detail with respect to FIGS. 1-4 and 7, and the pluralityof apertures 247-251 will make the two lock tabs 230 and 231 relativelyunobtrusive after the carton has been closed. Additionally, the cut awayportions 233-237 permit an individual to see through the apertures247-251.

. Referring to FIG. 8, a carton similar to FIGS. 1-4 and 6 is indicatedgenerally at 300 and comprises a tray 3'12 and a lid 314. The lid ishingedly connected to the rear edge of the tray, and the forward upperedge of the tray has hingedly connected thereto a lock flap 324 havinglongitudinally spaced therealong a plurality of dovetail lock tabs330-338 flanked by cutout portions 340-346. A forward wall 315 of thelid 314 has formed therein, at the juncture with the top wall346,1ongitudinally spaced apertures 347-3511 respectively deformablyreceiving there through the lock tabs 330-338 when the carton is closedin the manner previously described with respect to FIGS. 1-4 and 7.

Referring to-F'IG. 9, a still further embodiment is indicated generallyat 400 and comprises a tray 412 and lid 414 hingedly connected to therear edge of the tray. The tray has hingedly connected to the upperforward edge thereof a lock flap 424 having cutout portions 426, 428 and429, 430 respectively flanking lock tabs 431 and 432.

The lock tabs 431 and 432 are of substantially the same character as thelock tab 30 of the previously described embodiment and function in thesame manner. The lid 414 has formed at the juncture between the top wall446 and the front wall 444 apertures 448 and 449 which will deformablyreceive therethrough the lock tabs 4311 and 43 2.

The carton 400 is closed in the manner described with respect to theembodiment of FIGS. 1-4 and shown diagrammatically in FIG. '7.

Since the lock flap 424 is full height it will engage at the juncturebetween the top wall 446 and'fr-ont wall 444 of the lid and in a senseprovides some Stability and has an orienting function when the carton isclosed.

Referring :to FIG. 10, a fragmentary portion of another embodiment ofthe invention is indicated generally at 50 0 and comprises a tray 512and lid 514. In this embodiment, the tray 512 includes a lock flap 524hingedly connected to the upper edge of the forward wall, and the lockflap in addition to having formed therein lock tabs 532 and 53 3 flankedby cut-out portions 526, 528 and 529, 531), respectively and has cut-outportions 540, 541

and 542 which form upwardly projecting portions 543, 545, 5 52 and 553.The lock flap 5 24, it will be observed, incorporates the features ofthe cut away lock flap illustrated at 22 4, and the full-height lockflap 24 shown in FIGS. 6 and 1, respectively.

The lid 514 has formed at the juncture between the rear wall 535 and topwall 546 and front wall 544 and top 546 longitudinally spaced apertures547-551 and 547'551'. The apertures 548 and 550 will respectivelydeformably receive therethrough the lock tabs 5-30 and 53 1 as clearlyseen in FIG. 11.

Briefly in review, the different embodiments of invention clearlyillustrate a positive mechanical lock particularly adapted for providingmaximum locking power. The locking tab, after being deformed through acooperating aperture, is relatively unobtrusive, and does not interferewith the normal width dimensions of the cartons and substantiallyassumes the condition prior to deformation. The locking means of thevarious embodiments illustrate the adaptability thereof to cartons whichare particularly designed for the purpose of packaging eggs, but it isclearly evident that the locking flap may be used on other types ofcartons and cartons produced from any suitable material. Additionally,the locking means may be utilized on cartons which consist of twoseparate elements, i.e., the lower tray and upper lid being produced asseparate cooperating segments as illustrated in FIG. 5. Still further,the plural windows or observation apertures, as illustrated in FIG. 11,for example, afford good ventilation to the carton contents, i.e., withpackaging eggs, fresh produce, etc., and the locks are relativelyunobtrusive and present a desirable appearance to the ultimate consumer.Still further, the relatively uninterrupted upper surface of the topwalls of the cartons provide a considerable amount of space upon whichadvertising indicia and the like may be applied. Finally, the lock tabsformed on the lock flaps in each of the embodiments in no way interferewith normal nesting of the disclosed cartons.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made without departing from the scope of the invention and thereforethe invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings anddescribed in the specification but only as indicated in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

"1. In a carton produced from a relatively flexible molded material, atray and lid, said tray including a bottom wall having generallyvertically extending peripheral walls, said lid including a top wall anddepending peripheral walls, said peripheral walls respectively includingedge portions adapted to be positioned in engagement with each otherwhen the carton is closed, the improvement comprising releasable lockmeans including cooperating portions on said tray and lid, saidcooperating portions on said tray comprising a lock flap hingedlyconnected to an upper peripheral edge of said tray, said lock flapincluding at least one lock tab terminating in at least one lateraldeformable portion, said lid including at least one aperture at thejuncture between the lid top wall and a peripheral wall of said lid,when the carton is closed, said aperture being in alignment with saidlock tab and said aperture having a maximum width less than the maximumoverall width of said lock tab, said aperture having an upper and lowermargin, said upper margin being disposed in the top wall of said lid,said lower margin being disposed intermediately of said peripheral wallof said lid, said lock tab having an upper edge portion projectingbeyond a plane extending through said upper and lower margins of saidaperture when the carton is closed, whereby said upper edge portion ofsaid lock tab disposed beyond said plane extending through said upperand lower margins permits the lock tab to be deformably drawn throughsaid aperture in said lid and peripheral wall so that it is disposed onthe outer surface of the peripheral wall of said lid.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said tray includes aplurality of cell-forming partitions substantially integrating theperipheral walls of said tray.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said lid is hingedlyconnected to said tray along edges opposite said lock means.

4. The structure as claimed in claim 3 in which said lid includes aplurality of apertures longitudinally spaced along the juncture betweensaid lid top wall and said peripheral wall.

5. The structure as claimed in claim 4 in which said lock flap includesa pair of longitudinally spaced lock tabs respectively deformablyengageable through said plural apertures.

6. The structure as claimed in claim 3 in which said lid includes aplurality of longitudinally spaced apertures at the juncture betweensaid lid top wall and peripheral Wall, said lock flap including undercutportions for permitting content viewing through said apertures.

7. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said lock tab includeslateral deformable wing portions.

8. The structure as claimed in claim .1 in which said lid and tray areseparate components, said lid including two of said aperture portions inopposite depending peripheral wall portions, said tray including a pairof said lock flaps hingedly connected to opposite top edge portions ofsaid peripheral wall for receipt beneath inner surface portions of saidwall in which said aperture portions are formed, each of said lock flapsincluding at least one look tab deformably engageable through arespective one of said aperture portions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,529,140 1 1/ 1950 Cox 22945 X R2,677,490 5/ 1954 Crane 22929 2,739,750 3/1956 Cox 229- 29 XR 2,827,2223/1958 Buttery 229-45 2,843,304 7/1958 Reifers 22929 3,034,693 5/1962Cox 2292.5 3,259,294 7/1966 Hartmann 2292.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 490,066 1/ 1953 Canada.

DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner.

